Needless to say, however, most of the papers take a more realistic standpoint. And depressingly so, for England fans. Here's how the press reacted to the Three Lions' defeat in Sao Paulo:

Sam Wallace (The Independent): "In past tournaments, England’s demise has been a slow drawn-out affair, with the handwringing and the tears and the dreadful sense of foreboding. Brazil 2014 promises to be short and sweet. If Italy and Costa Rica draw their game on Friday then Roy Hodgson’s men are out six days after they began. That throat-slicing moment from Greg Dyke at the draw back in October will not tell even half the story. If there was honour in defeat against Italy in Manaus, then this was just a very poor England performance. They never imposed themselves upon the game and they twice allowed Luis Suarez the kind of goalscoring chances that Norwich City would be ashamed to give him. Roy Hodgson’s team were out of their depth against a Uruguay side who relied upon a striker who has not played a single game since the end of the season. It is a miserable way to go."

Daniel Taylor (The Guardian): "After four years of planning, all that emotional commitment and all the anticipation that always attaches itself to this tournament, England’s World Cup has unravelled in the space of five traumatic days and the defining image is of Luis Suárez, on the floor, weeping with joy after the goals that had opened the door and pointed Roy Hodgson’s team on the way out. It is the first time England have lost their first two games of this tournament and if, or rather when, everything is confirmed their departure comes ignominiously early."

Oliver Kay (The Times): "The embarrassment was that Uruguay’s winner was so avoidable. Muslera aimed a harmless-looking punt upfield, but Gerrard’s header sent the ball into the path of Suarez, charging beyond Jagielka. Suarez took a touch and struck a rising shot past Hart. He celebrated wildly and took his leave soon afterwards. He had done his bit. Uruguay were revitalised. England were in despair."

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Henry Winter (The Telegraph): "England's manager, Roy Hodgson, must believe that Suarez is world-class now. It had to be Suarez, the player who has been the best in the Premier League this year, the man voted PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year. It had to be Suarez slaying the team representing the FA, the organisation with which he has such history. Barring Rooney's close-range effort, England lacked the killer touch that Suarez had. Suarez had been dreaming of this moment ever since the draw, ever since Gerrard had jokingly sent him a text saying that England had been granted an easy group. Suarez had been hoping to be fit in time for this test against a nation that had castigated and celebrated him in equal measure."

Steven Howard (The Sun): "It was the defeat that Roy Hodgson couldn’t even contemplate. The defeat that, barring a miracle, means his side are on the plane home. The defeat that means England have failed to qualify from the group stage at the World Cup for the first time since 1958. The small matter of 56 years. And 11 tournaments. And eight managers. We might not be any good at winning the bloody thing but we do usually know how to get out of the group. Now it seems we cannot even do that."

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Martin Samuel (Daily Mail): "Suarez ran on and finished like a champion. He will say this was always destined to be his night – yet fate was leant a huge hand by England’s defensive frailty. You know where this debate will lead eventually. To a player currently posting pictures of his family holiday in Greece. You know his name, too. Could he have prevented this defeat? Who knows? Would England have been stronger with him in the ranks? Undoubtedly."

Oliver Holt (The Daily Mirror): "The free spirits who took the match to Italy in Manaus had flown away. In their place, an England team as dull and gloomy as the tower blocks in this concrete jungle called Sao Paulo stumbled their way to desperate defeat in the Arena Corinthians. On Saturday, losing had been made easier by some promise. Here, there was no consolation. This was simply dire. England stand on the very brink of elimination from Brazil 2014. After this performance, few will lament their departure if they head home next week."

John Dillon (Daily Express): "The spirit of the World Cup teased and tormented Wayne Rooney and kept its special glory just beyond his reach for 75 painful minutes here last night. Then came the epic moment that briefly lifted a desperate nation and laid to rest the curse which had plagued him through three World Cups. It seemed he would be doomed to frustration and agonising unfulfillment once again until the opportunity for which had waited all his career came in the gathering dark of the Sao Paulo evening. Eventually, he was, as Luis Suarez scored brilliantly for the second time and placed England on the brink of a devastating early exit."